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(No Model.)

B. P. JOSLYN.

FIFTH WHEEL FOR VEHICLES.

Patented Aug. 2, 1881.

[n ventor n PETERS, F'mlo-Lithqnphoc. wmmm p. c.

.UNIT D STATES 1 PAT NT OFFICE. I

ELIAS P. JOSLYN,1OF BROOKPORT, NEW roan.

FIFTH-WHEEL FOR VEHICLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 244,996, dated August 2, 1881.

Application filed June 11, 1881.

hemispherical or cup-shaped bearing-surfaces arranged one within another for thepurpose of perfectly centering the swinging action of the axle under the spring bar or bolster.

Referring to the drawings,.Figure 1 represents a plan of my invention; Fig. 2, a vertical section taken centrally along the reach, View indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1; and Fig.3, a detached view, drawnto a larger scale, showing more clearly the clamp at the front parts of the bearing-plates, view indicated by I the arrowin, Fig. 2.

In the figures, A is a 1'*each,B an axle, O the stock clipped to said axle, andl) a springbar attached to the reach, all of ordinary construction. cl is a metallic plate attached to the under surface of the spring-bar D, and b a corresponding plate attached to the stock 0,

the front edges of said plates being circular and concentric with the king-bolt]? The plate d, at a point in rear of the springbar, is formed into a hemispherical shell, a, convexed upward; andthe plate 11 at the same point is provided with a corresponding shell,

c, fitting perfectly within the shell a, as shown.

The under strap or brace, g, bolted to the under side of the reach, is provided with a hemispherical upward projection, e, which fits within the concavity of the shell 0, and a kingholt, f, of ordinary construction, passes vertically down through the said parts a, c, and e,

(No model.)

ward, thence horizontally backward under said plate I), thence vertically upward, forming a hook-shaped part, F. Within this hook is placed a gib, 7a, which isheld against the under surface of the plate I) by a set-screw, l, passing up through the lower horizontal part of the hook. The end of the set-screw presses directly against a metallic plate, 0, within the hook, between which plate and the gib 7c is inserted an india-rubber block or cushion, a. By this means the gib k is held against the plate b by a slightly-yielding pressure. As the axle'is turned under the spring-bar by being cramped one way'or the other, for the purpose of changing the course of the vehicle, the plate 1) slides around between the gib 7c and superincumbent plate cl. The cushion n beneath the gib causes the plate I) to work more smoothly between said gib and plate d, and with less friction and noise. When the axle is swung around beneath the spring-bar D, as above described, the hemisphere 0 turns between the hemispherical shell to and the hemisphere c.

This arrangement of parts perfectly centers the swinging motion of the axle, and the kin gbolt is not subjected to detrusion or a shearing strain, this being prevented by the fitting together of the hemispheres, as abovedescribed.

The lock-nut h is the same as that shown and described in the patent granted to me April 13, 1880, and numbered 226,452; and it consists of a square hollow shell, h, containing within the rectangular cavity ayielding substance,s,

. and a screw-nut proper, p, for the king-bolt.

The nut 10, as described in the patent above mentioned, having its edges fitted to the corresponding inner surfaces of the shell h, turns with said shell as the latter is turned in the usual manner by an ordinary wrench. When the shell h is turned in such a manner as to shell h to remain at all times in contact with the strap 9, which prevents any rattling of the parts.

By placing the center of the swinging mothe brace g, the plate d being provided with a tion of the axle in rear of the spring-bar the hook-shaped part, F, gib k, and screw I, said 15 vehicle is much more quicklyand easily turned. plates and brace being formed respectively This feature alone by itself, however, I do not into hemispheres a, 0, and e, as shown.

5 claim as new. 3. The plates at and b of a fifth-wheel of a I claim as my inventionvehicle, formed into mutually bearing hemi- 1. In combination with the axle stock Cand spheres a and c at a point in rear of the axle, 2o spring-bar D of awagon, the plates b and d, the and held together bya gib and screw at a point latter being provided with a hook-shaped part, in front of the axle, substantially as shown.

KO F, containing a gib, k, plate 0, and cushion n, E. P. J OSLYN and a set-screw, l, substantially as shown. Witnesses:

2. In combination with the axle 0, spring- E. B. WHITMORE,

bar D, and reach A, the plates 1) and d, and A. GRITTENDEN. 

